Allotments 4 All

I have never used grease bands on my apple trees, and altho the allotment trees weren't to bad this year, nearly all of the apples in my garden had holes and maggots in them.  :'( 

Do you use greasebands, when, how and is there a particular one you would heartily receommend, or not as the case may be???

Can't find the box at present, I believe it was Vitax brand.

Are we talking of codling moth?

1. If you do use bands, as opposed to grease, do make sure that all the fissures in the bark are filled in.

2. We use pheronome traps & have a good kill.

3. But, once again, who can prove it - year on year?

4. http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0601/codling_moth.asp

Belt, braces and elasticated waists. We have in the past used both Grease bands, pheromone traps and a Wintar Wash.  The grease band stuff is the same company as produces the wound paint, but cannot remember its name. We actually buy the grease and bands separately, that way you can as Tim says, make sure all the cracks in the bark are filled. By the way do it now to catch insects on their way DOWN the tree to over winter in the soil!

 Thought too late, in the night - I was on about codling moth - hence the traps. The bands, of course, are for winter moths. E&OE!

OKay, so get them now and get them on.  Will pop to the nursery tomorrow, fingers crossed they haven't packed all of their gardening stuff away to make room for Christmas decs!

Great topic EJ.

What is the resulting damage of either moth?  Which should I be treating for do you think?

The yellow plum trees that are on our site ALL had very wooly fruit.  Full of nasties, very sad

What's the difference between a codling and a winter moth?  Anyone?

Hi Emma...am experimenting this year with  ordinary tape Kwik Grip ( similiar to Gaffa) and  standard grease to bridge the gaps. £1.99 for 10metres. Temp. tack inside out onto tree then tie round the trunk with green string.

Interesting Ken. I bought a couple of bands today - at 4.99 for two!  Whilst standing in the garden centre pondering the overdraft I did wonder about using a heavy duty sticky tape but wondered about the effects of the weather on it.  I guess you would have to replace it several times during the autumn, winter and spring.  I want to do this then pretty much forget about it.

There was also a spray can variety, which claimed to be organic, but at 6.99 I went with the cheaper option.

Alongside the greasebands were pheremone traps.  Do I need one of those also, and when should that be installed?

Flowerlady - a link to the RHS website: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0601/codling_moth.asp 
and
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0304/winter_moth.asp

May hereabouts...would like to find a DIY alternative...will do a bit of research...perhaps after shave :))

Quote from: EJ - Emma Jane on October 11, 2005, 22:57:07
Alongside the greasebands were pheremone traps.  Do I need one of those also, and when should that be installed?

Pheromone traps are put up in late spring EJ, about May time dependent on weather, where you are etc. I think it is best to use both. I have only ever used the traps before & still have quite alot of damage.

Thank you peeps.  I shall write it in my 2006 diary! ;D

thank you for the links EJ

I have a couple of apple trees in my garden and was thinking of using bin liner cut in strips. I was going to wrap it around the trunk and hold it together with duct tape and then just lather general purpose grease over the plastic. I think I read somewhere that the winter moth can't fly and the grease blocks their path - is this right  ??? Are shop bought bands treated to kill the moth?

vaca

Come to think of it, ordinary fly papers would probably do the trick, and lots in Google, Emma on pheromones. Organic growers use ripe pears.

I bought tree grease that I just painted on, it was a bit messy and costs £2.75 from a local garden center but it does work ;D

Gaffa type tape doesn't work, dries out too quickly, have put this summers (used) flypaper around the trees.

Winter moth info here:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0304/winter_moth.asp